Kayla Harrison shares immediate reaction to winning UFC title

Harrison became the new UFC women's bantamweight champion

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kayla Harrison has begun to recognize the stakes of her championship-clinching win over Julianna Peña Saturday night.

It’s Amanda Nunes next...

Amanda Nunes Has Teased a Comeback

Jun 10, 2023; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Amanda Nunes celebrates her victory by decision against Irene Aldana following UFC 289 at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images | Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The consensus women’s MMA GOAT faced off with the newly minted UFC Bantamweight Champion in the Octagon Saturday night at UFC 316, planting the seed for one of the sport’s biggest fights.

Harrison, a two-time Olympian, is locked in.

“I'm going to be the best me, and we're going to go in there and make absolute magic in the UFC women's division,” Harrison told reporters. “We're going to break some records and make some history."

Harrison Makes Huge Guarantees

Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Kayla Harrison (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Julianna Pena (not pictured) in a bantamweight title bout during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“We're both going to make a lot of money doing it, and we're going to bring women's MMA to a whole new level."

Harrison has no preference when Nunes wants to fight her, but timing appears to be pertinent.

UFC CEO Dana White revealed Nunes has yet to enter the promotion’s drug-testing pool, which would cause the fight to be delayed by at least six months once she’s entered. Nevertheless, it seems inevitable.

READ MORE: Amanda Nunes storms cage at UFC 316 to confirm comeback fight

Harrison, though, found it difficult to describe the magnitude of the win. However, she did so with gratitude and class, as she revealed her weight cut was extremely draining. Thursday night was a possible breaking point, as she nearly thought about ending her quest for gold.

“I go from kimura to north-south and crucifix, and we go over and over it again – so I heard the clapper and I gave it a little yank to see what happens. Next thing I know, he's pulling me off. I didn't even feel her tap, so I was like, 'Oh, wow. I'm UFC champion.'"

Harrison's potential star power inside the UFC is just starting to brew. Now, it's up to the UFC to book the mega fight.

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